Coronation Street’s executive producer Kieran Roberts has stepped down from his role after 11 years, having extended his time in the top job to assist with the transition to six episodes.

Kieran, who oversees the work of Corrie’s series producer Kate Oates, took on the position in 2006, having previously served as the show’s producer and the producer of fellow ITV soap Emmerdale.

Collectively, he has spent 34 years of his career at ITV, looking after a variety of dramas but he is most known to soap viewers for his association with the two long running soaps.

Discussing his decision to step down, Kieran said in a statement: ‘This has been a huge and very difficult decision and it’s one I have been thinking about for more than a year. When the move to six episodes was announced, I knew I should stay to help make that happen.

(Picture: Getty)

‘I’ve been incredibly lucky to have worked on so many wonderful programmes and with so many brilliant colleagues during my time at ITV. Coronation Street is a special place and it’s been a huge privilege working on such an amazing programme with the greatest team in television.’

John Whiston, ITV’s managing director for continuing drama, added: ‘Kieran has brought to both Coronation Street andEmmerdale his unrivalled eye for story and character and his own particular humour and humanity.

(Picture: Getty)

‘You’d be hard pressed to find anyone in ITV who doesn’t deeply respect and admire Kieran. He’s one of the most conscientious, hard-working, clever and humane colleagues one could ever hope to have. Ally this to one of the keenest editorial eyes in the business and you have the consummate television executive.

‘ITV has been fortunate to have him devoting his incredible energy, talent and his working life to the company for as long as he has.’